Lauderdale County Woman Charged with TennCare "Doctor Shopping"

NASHVILLE – A Lauderdale County woman has been indicted for TennCare fraud involving “doctor shopping,” or using TennCare to go to multiple doctors in a short time period to obtain prescriptions for a controlled substance.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) with assistance from the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department today announced the arrest of Brenda Faye Allen, 44, of Ripley. Allen is charged with five counts of fraudulently using TennCare to obtain a controlled substance by “doctor shopping.”

The indictment alleges that Allen failed to disclose to her doctor that she had seen other physicians within a 30-day period and received a prescription for the strong painkiller Hydrocodone with the physician office visits being paid for by TennCare.

"‘Doctor shopping’ in TennCare is one of our major targets, thanks to Gov. Phil Bredesen and the Legislature, which made it a crime to go from doctor to doctor collecting prescriptions for narcotics and other controlled substances,” Inspector General Deborah Faulkner said. “Physicians across the state have also stepped up to help enforce the law against ‘doctor shopping’ in TennCare.”

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years per charge in prison.  District Attorney General Michael Dunavant will be prosecuting this case.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $2.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $171 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, over 1,240 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions.  Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."